The 1968 Reform Constitution first became effective (with a few minor exceptions) on February 14th, 1968 , replacing the earlier Constitution which was comprised of a series of Councils by Academic Class (Freshman, Sophomore. . .Law Freshman, Law Junior. . . ), a Lyceum Council (pre-SGP & Accent). The executive ticket (Pres/Vice Pres, Treas, Chancellor) was elected the same way under the 1968 constitution as well.)
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CONSTITUTIONAL LANGUAGE:
Student Body Constitution,
ARTICLE IX
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution. This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the Student Body voting thereon at a special or general election, providing twenty-five percent of the Student Body casts ballots at that election and providing the amendment has been proposed by:
A. Two-thirds of the Student Senate present and voting at two regular meetings of that body, or
B. Ten (10) percent of the Student Body by petition filed with the Chancellor of the Honor Court not less than fourteen days prior to the regular elections.
Section 2. Publication. The proposed amendment shall be published in the Florida Alligator not less than one nor more than three weeks prior to the election at which it is considered.
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Declining Turnout in SG
In 1966 9,013 Students voted, Approximately 47% of the Student Body.
As late as 1967, the last year of the Previous Constitution, turnout in SG elections was 40.7% (7737 Votes Cast of 19,004 Enrolled Students)
In 1968, the Turnout was still at 7623 (Again about 40% Turnout).
In spring 1969, turnout continued to slowly decline to 6,922 ballots cast making it around 33% to 34% of the Student Body casting ballots.
In 1982 turnout was at 5,004 ballots cast, Turnout was 14% of the Student Body
In Spring 1984 Voter Turnout went up to 6,433 ballots making it 19.83%
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Spring 1969
Amendment to Article II, Section 3 (E) (Chartering Amendment)
FOR: 2263 (74.5%)
AGAINST: 773 (25.5%)
Amendment to Article III, Section 6: Vice President's Duties
FOR: 2172 (75.3%)
AGAINST: 712 (24.7%)
Amendment to Article IV, Sections 3 & 7: Honor Court Amendment
FOR: 2281 (74%)
NO: 800 (26%)
Amendment to Article VII, Section 2: Election Day Changes
Yes: 2,222 (75.73%)
No: 712 (24.26%)
TOTAL Ballots cast: 6922
Estimated Size of Student Body: 20,000 - 21,000
Turnout: 33.0% to 34.6%
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Fall 1969
(It appears the amendments failed to get the requisite 1/4 turnout
requirement)
1) Amendment Article II, Section 5 (Initiative through the student body)
FOR 1913
AGAINST: 364
2) Amendment: Article II, Sect. 5, Sub Section 2 (Special Requests name change)
FOR: 1474
AGAINST: 705
3) Amendment: Article II, SEction 7 (Treasurer Powers Enumeration)
FOR: 1334
AGAINST: 654
4) Amendment: Article II, Section 3, Sub Section M (More Treasurer Powers
Changes)
FOR: 1241
AGAINST: 645
Est. TURNOUT: 3560 (16.95%)
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Spring 1971
(It appears that just barely enough ballots were cast to meet the 1/4
requirement
Amendment #1:
FOR: 4705
AGAINST: 680
Amendment #2
FOR: 4712
AGAINST: 746
Amendment #4 (#3 was a revision and not a constitutional amendment)
FOR: 2705
AGAINST: 2819
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Spring 1972
Amend #1 FAILED
FOR: 2185
AGAINST: 2684
Amend #2 (FAILED 2/3rd's requirement)
FOR: 2684
AGAInST: 2194
Amend. #3 (FAILED)
FOR: 2502
AGAINST: 2639
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Spring 1984
Voter Turnout 6,433 = 19.83%
"Amendment 1:
Section 1. All members of the Student Body shall be entitled to vote in Student Body Elections.
Section 2. To be eligible for any office of the Student Government, a student must be free of academic and conduct probation, a full time student, and have a 2.0 or better average for his total period as a member of the Student Body. Candidates for the offices of President, Vice President, and Treasurer shall have enrolled and completed at least three (3) terms as a full time student at the University of Florida."
FOR: 5626 (90.9%)
AGAINST: 559 (9.1%)
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Spring 1992
Constitutional Amendment (1)
FOR: 4779 (74.2%)
AGAINST: 1665 (25.8%)
Total University Enrollment: 36,605
Total Ballots cast: 7957
Turnout: 21.74%
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Spring 1996
Constitutional Amendment (Allocation of Senate Seats in Fall/Living Areas)
FOR: 4668 (82.27%)
NO: 1006 (17.73%)
Enrollment: 40,372
Ballots Cast (Approx.): 6833
TURNOUT: 16.9%
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Spring 2000
(Amendments proposed through Constitutional Commission System)
Revision 1 (Amendment Process Reform)
FOR: 6004 (79.28%)
AGAINST: 1569 (20.72%)
Revision 2: Senate Restrictions
FOR: 6050 (79.56%)
AGAINST: 1569 (20.44%)
Revision 3: Honor Court BOM Reform
FOR: 4790 (65.78%)
AGAINST: 2492 (34.22%)
Revision 4: Exec Branch Matters
FOR: 2,667 (35.58%)
AGAINST: 4829 (64.42%)
Referendum 5: Political Technical Changes
FOR: 5886 (77.77%)
AGAINST: 1682 (22.23%)
ENROLLMENT: (1999 Figure: 44,276)
Ballots Cast: 9187
TURNOUT: 20.75%